Horological instrument cleaner



Feb. 7, 1950 e. c. WAGNER HOROLOGICAL INSTRUMENT CLEANER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 20, 1942 QWQWMM G502 GE C 1mm 5 WflG/YEE Feb. 7, 1950 a. c. WAGNER HOROLOGICAL INSTRUMENT CLEANER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 20, 1942 1 6- a x W W GEOEGE CH/ZQL E5 l wve/vae Feb. 7, 1950 Cs. c. WAGNER HOROLOGICAL INSTRUMENT CLEANER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 20, 1942 v l vu W 04 GEO/2G5 C/meL E5 WflG/VEE Patented Feb. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention refers to horological instruments and more particularly to devices for cleaning the internal works, parts or movements of watches and clocks. t has among its objects to provide a device of this nature that will mechanically clean watches and clock movements quickly and eiiectively and Without injury to the delicate mechanism employed. in the construction of such or similar apparatus. Another object is to employ an arrangement for holding and manipulating the works of the instruments that will cause the cleaning solutions or fluids used to enter intimately among the movements, parts and bearlugs and dislodge the dirt and grit settled therein and provide for their removal therefrom. Afurther object is to provide an arrangement of operation that will avoid the centrifugal projection of the cleaning fluids away from the parts placed in the device to be cleaned. ,A still further object is to make the operation of the device substantially automatic and have its structure designed to prevent the cleaning liquids from splashing externally to the same. Still another object is to have a device of this nature that will reduce the handling of the parts to be cleaned to the minimum. A still further object is to provide arrangements for quickly drying the movements or works after their being cleaned.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

Devices used for cleaning the movements of watches and other horological instruments, are conventionally constructed with vessels for holding the movements or mechanisms to be cleaned. The mechanism used for holding the works to be cleaned is usually given a rotary motion or operation. This rotary operation serves to centrifugally force the liquids away from the mechanism and prevents their intrusion and insinuation among the parts where they are needed to loosen the dirt and dislodge it eilfectively. The works of the watches and clocks are lowered and placed in the middle portions of the vessels, in the liquids, while they are at rest. However as the vessels rotate, the liquids press against the peripheral wall of same and-develop a cone-like or cyclone depression or hollow space in the middle, leaving the works without contact with the liquids. This prevents the works from being cleaned effectively as the grit is only partly contacted by the cleaning fluids. Also the watch movements are laid horizontally hat in the baskets in a position that will prevent the dirt from being removed by this rotary action. In this invention, the watch movements are placed in a vertical position in rectangular screen baskets constructed for thepurpose, and while in this position are.

located efiectively in the path of the cleaning liquids as the baskets are oscillated back and forth in suitable containers. In this instance the plates, bearings and gears etc. face thecurrents of the flowing liquids. This oscillating action has the function of preventing centrifugal travel of the liquid away from the watch movements to be cleaned in these baskets. It also gives a double reverse flow action to the streams of cleaning liquids used. I I

This forces the liquids into all parts and all sides and from difierent angles. The watch movements are held loosely in the baskets andbecome shaken as the baskets are operated back and forth, so as to dislodge the dirt mechanically in conjunction with the efiects of the moving, currents of the cleaning fluids. The other functions of the device including its automatic features will be referred to in a latter portion of the specification. In the conventional Way of cleaning watch works, the operator is required to use a sharpened orange stick for picking out the dirt from the bearings and other portions where grit is likely to settle, this hardened grit offering considerable resistance to removal. The device outlined in this invention and description, operates soefiectively as to elimie nate this additional work and the damage it tends to entail. q I

In the drawings which illustrate a form of this invention: I I

Figure 1 is a plan view of a horologicalcleaning machine embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of Figure l; I

Figure 3 is a side elevation of Figure 1 partly in section;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the mechanism for oscillating the device looking in the direction of arrows ,4--4 of Fig. 6, with cover removed; I

Figure 5 is an end view in section :of the oscillating mechanism shown in Figure 4 taken along line 5-5;

Figure 6 is a side elevation in section of the oscillating device shown in Figure 4, taken along line 66;

I Figure 7 is a plan view of the baskets attached to the bottom portion, with one disconnected to show the general manner of attachment;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the baskets along line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring and timing mechanism of the device with the baskets suspended over the jars, and J Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring taken and timing mechanism of the device with the baskets inserted down into the jars and oscillating therein.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings:

In the invention, a bed plate I, serves as a support for the device. It has a central post 2 extending vertically above it and arranged with a clamp-to hold an electric motor 3 for operating the oscillator mechanism 4, utilized for manipulating an oscillating unit, consisting of a rider stem 5 and screen baskets 6 and other mechanisms to be referred to. This stem 5 reciprocates up and down through a hole in a frame connected with the mechanism 4, and is slotted at 10 to accommodate a feather-key 29 attached to gear 26. The stem 5 has an iron core armature rotatably surmounted on a non-magnetic lower rod 12 to enable it to operate in a solenoid to be described. This stem has a button member ID, secured to it for the convenience of the operators hand durin manipulation, for the manual placing or removal of the watch works from the device. The stem has each of its screen baskets 8 attached to its bottom portion 82 by the dove-tailed bracket 63 [attached to the baskets] being placed in the dove-tailed slot 64, as indicated. The screen walls |2 of the baskets are arranged vertically with rectangular compartments between them, for holding watch movements or works 3 in a vertical position therein. Their screens l2 are built of wire crossed in diamond fashion, so the cleaning fluids M can pass through freely to the watch movements or works. The stem is urged upwardly by a coiled spring l5, and provided with the above-mentioned button member In which contacts the stop member 13 to prevent the bottom of the baskets 6 from striking the bottom of the containers [which are attached t the revolving plate H], when the stem and baskets unit is lowered. The stop member I3 controls the movement of the button member and is attached to the cover of the mechanism 4.

The baskets are lowered into rectangular containers l1, I9, and 2| adequately filled with the selected cleaning solution or fluid M. The containers have their mouth portions [8 restricted inwardly to prevent the spilling of the liquids during the operation or oscillation of the basket within them. Each container, usually termed the dish, is mounted on the rotatin circular plate II, and is set to register under the stem and basket unit at predetermined positions of its rotation.

The mechanism 4 for operating the stem 5 and baskets 6 consists of a rack 23 attached to and operated by a disc 22. A pin 24 is provided on the inner end portion of the rack 23, for insertion in either of the holes 56 and 51 respectively in the disc 22, to vary the amount of reciprocation of the rack. The amount of travel of the rack 23 controls the movement given the baskets. The disc is attached to the motor shaft and rotated in a conventional manner. The rack 23 is formed with teeth 25 that mesh with those of a gear 26 slidably mounted on the stem 5. The reciprocating 01' oscillating movement of the rack 23 guided by roller 2'! which is mounted on th follower 28 is attained with this mechanism. This roller keeps the rack 23 in position and in mesh with the teeth of the gear 26, which is rotated backwards and forwards, as the pin 24 revolves with the disc 22 and shaft of the motor 3. The gear 25 is slidably keyed to the stem 5 through the feather key 29 and the keyway 10 out in the stem 5 and causes the stem to oscillate in synchronism with its own movements. This in turn operates the baskets attached to the stem.

The container holding plate II is placed above the stationary plate I and is arranged to be rotated around the central post 2 by motor 5| in intervals of ninety degrees per interval. The motor 5| is equipped with a reducing gear which drives the gear 52 which meshes with a plate gear 1 attached to the container holding plate II which revolves each time after the stem 5 is pushed up by the spring |5. The container plate is preferably registered by a pin 50 which pro jects from it and contacts an arm 8| attached to cam shaft 8|. The baskets can be registered and aligned over one of the containers l1, I9, 20 and 2| by this arrangement before the basket drops down into the container. The basket then oscillates in the solution contained therein. This is accomplished by the proper electrical connections provided for motors 3 and 5| and their switches 55, I5 and 84, and wiring 58, 60 which cause the circuits to energize a solenoid 31 drawing the armature into it to force the stem 5 downwardly. The armature acts like a magnetic core and is of iron or other suitable magnetic material. When the coil is demagnetized it allows the stem and basket to rise up out of the container under the expansion of spring |5. To control the time of operation of th device, and especially the period of oscillation of the baskets, the movement of the stem in an oscillatin manner causes a projecting member 16 and its end finger H tensioned by spring 18 mounted on it, to engage pins 19 mounted on a pin gear 80. This induces the rotation of a shaft 8| to which is attached a cam 82 which opens a switch '55 after a predetermined period. This causes the motor 3 to stop running. The oscillation of the baskets also stops when the motor stops. Incidentally the solenoid becomes deenergized. This allows the spring I5 to force the core stem 5 up, and raise the basket 6, with the watches in it out of the containers. The top of the stem moves and closes the switch 15 as it contacts it. The sequence of actions is caused as the cam 82 lifts and opens switch 55, and at the same time lifts and closes the switch 84, all as indicated in Figures 9 and 10. Closure of switch 15 starts the motor 5| and rotates the control plate one-quarter turn. At this point one of the pins 50 contacts arm 6| attached to the cam shaft 8| and moves the cam 82 a distance sufficient to open the switch 84 and close the switch 55. This in turn closes the circuit for the motor 3 and energizes same as well as the solenoid. The latter then will pull down on the stem 5, so the baskets 6 will enter the solution in the container to a predetermined depth. The contact of button member In with the stop member 13 controls the drop of the stem 5. The motor 3 is started and through mechanism 4 oscillates the stem 5 and the baskets attached to it. Attached to the stem 5 is a cover 83 which fits down over the top of the containers to prevent the solutions from slopping up and over the outside of the containers. The switch 86 is normally closed during operation manually, and is opened the same way when the device is placed out of operation, so the equipment circuits will be disconnected independently of the switches operated by the mechanism during its functioning as a cleaning apparatus.

The operation of the device is as follows. The user fills the first two containers l1 and IS with one of the standard cleaning solutions such as carbon-tetrachloride or the like. In the third container 20 he places one of the standard drying liquids which leaves a film on the part cleaned when it is dried to prevent rust. The fourth con-' tainer 2! is equipped with an electrical dryer 84 if desired, and the container is left empty. The shape of the container is designed to prevent the solution from flying over the place externally when the baskets are oscillated for cleaning and drying purposes. The watch parts l3 are placed somewhat loosely in the baskets 1, and held vertically therein by the screen walls [2. The basketsare held to the lower portion 62 of the stem 5 as indicated. The baskets are held by the stem 5 over'the first container I! in its normal initial position. The switch 86 is then closed and the circuit 60 energized, causing the motor 3 to operate the oscillating mechanism 4 and cause the stem to oscillate back and forth. The solenoid 31 is also energized and forces the stem 5 down intothe container I! where the watch works are oscillated. The button member contacts the stop I3 and regulates the depth the baskets will be submerged in the containers. The projecting member 16 contacts the pins. 19 attached to pin gear 80 and rotates the cam shaft 8| a proportionate amount and causes a time delay that allows the oscillator to operate the baskets for a predetermined amount of time. When this period is over the cam 82 will have separated the contact points of switch 55, closed switch 84, stopped the motor 3, and demagnetized the solenoid 31 which allows thespring IE to raise the stem up out of the container. When the armatur'e H reaches the upward end of its stroke it closes switch 15 which in turn starts the motor and rotates the container plate I l until one of I.

the pins 5.0 contacts the arm BI and moves the cam enough to open the swtich 84 and stop the container table from rotating at a predetermined point. which will be when the baskets 6 are over container IS. The contacts 55 closethe circuit and start the motor 3 and energize the solenoid 3'1, pulling the basket down into the container [9. Then the oscillating mechanism gives a back and forth arcuate movement to the stem and basket as previously described for container i1. It switches the liquid within the container through the clock or watch parts and cleans same. At the same time the works are given a, knockabout movement, as they are loose in their respective compartments. This tends to throw the loosened i action of the solutions that would prevent them from properly contacting the parts or movements to be cleaned. The oscillating movement of the unit in fact causes the liquid currents generated to oppose the movement of the baskets and works therein, so they will pass against and through same with more force than that of the movement alone, in each direction. This also causes a splashing or lifting action to the liquid and causes it to splash in all directions Whether vertical horizontalor angular. The cleaning action is thereforepositive.

In the diagram are shown the various steps in the process of cleaning used. In the first position, indicated in Figure 9, the device is in normal position ready forthe insertion of the watch or horological movements. The liquids have been placed in the containers [1, l9 and 20, and said containers and the unfilledcontainer 2| already set in their recesses in the plate I i. In this position the switches and 84 are closed, and the. switches 55 and 86 are open, and the device isat rest.

In the second portion of'the process shown in Figure 10 the switch 86 has been closed, the switch '55 is closed and the. switches 15 and 84 are opened respectively, at the same time the motor 3 is started, while the solenoid 31 has been ener gized and the armature H pulled into it causing the stem 5 to lower its baskets 6 into the container 11 while they are running with their oscillating action actuated by the oscillator mechanism 4. During this'action the oscillation of the stem 5 causes its member 16- to operate like a ratchet and strike the pins 79 on the pingear 80 at every forward movement of the oscillation. The pin gear is mounted on the post 8! and revolves therewith. Each time the member contacts the pin it moves the pin gear around one notch. When the last notch of the period is reached, the pin gear turns its cam 82 to the position where it will allow the switch connections'55' to separate from each other and at the same time closes switch 84, and opens the motor and solenoid circuits 58 and deenergizes same. The finger 11 is pivoted to projection 16 at the upper edge, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, and biased by a spring 18 to lie in the position'shown in these figures. This structure with gear 80 forms a one-way driving connection between shafts 5 and '8! since, whenin the oscillation of shaft 5 its motion is clock-wise, finger 11 will act as a rigid member to drive a pin 19, but, after shaft 5 reverses its direction and finger 'l'! is moving in a counter-clockwise direction, upon engagement of finger 11 with the next pin 19 finger 1! will be moved about its pivot allowing this pin 19 to move past projection 16. As soon as pin-19 has moved past, spring 18 will snap finger I! back to the positionshown with respect to projection 16 and the parts will be in position to drive the second pin 19, in a counterclockwise direction when shaft 5 again moves in a clockwise direction. This will result in a periodic counter-clockwise rotation of gear 80 shaft BI, and cam 82 during four oscillations of the shaft 5, since there are four pins 19. During this time shaft 8! and cam 82 are rotated through 360 so cam 82 has come around to the position where it opens switch55 and closes switch 84. The motor 3 stops, and incidentally the oscillator mechanism and basket oscillations are stopped also. The solenoid frees the armature H and permits the spring l5 to raise the stem 5 until it strikes the contact switch 15 and completes the circuit 58. This circuit 58 is energized and causes the motor 5! to rotate and move the plate! 1 until it has travelled one-quarter turn. This brings the container l9 under the stem and basketunit readyto receive the baskets and contents to be further. cleaned. At this point in its travel one of its pins attached to plate ll contacts the arm GI and moves the cam-around to a low position which causes the switch to again close,

and switch 84 to open. This causes the motor 3 and solenoid 31 to operate and lower the baskets into the container l9 and retain same in such position until the cycle is completed in that jar or container. The arrangement of the mechanism will be the same as that shown in Fig. 10. The basket will then be raised and the container plate I I rotated one-quarter turn until the container 20 is under the stem and baskets. The stem and baskets will then be lowered into container 20 until that cycle or portion of the work has been completed. The arrangement of the mechanism will be the same as that shown in Figure 10. The basket will then be raised and the'container plate H rotated one-quarter turn until the container 21 and its heater is under the stem and baskets which are then lowered down into the container and rotated therein until the movements are dried. At the proper time the switch 55 opens and deenergizes the motor 3 and solenoid 3! and the stem is returned to its normal position through the action of spring IS. The switch 86 is then opened and the watch parts or movements removed from the baskets and others placed therein for cleaning. The operation is then started all over again. When the movements are being removed from the baskets, after cleaning, the mechanism will be in the first position which is indicated in Figure 9. When the baskets have been lowered into the containers and are oscillating, the mechanisms will be in the position indicated in Figure 10, and the switch 86 will be closed, as shown. When the container plate H is being rotated the mechanisms will be in the relative positions shown in Figure 9. The switch 86 will be closed.

While but one form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in this specification, it is not desired to limit this application to such form or in any other way, otherwise than limited by the principles involved in the use and operation of this device and the scope of th appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A cleaning device for watch works comprising in combination, a bed plate, a central post extending vertically up from same, an oscillator mechanism mounted on the post, a motor for operating the said mechanism, a stem operated by the said mechanism in an oscillating manner, said stem being arranged for up-and-down movement through said oscillating mechanism, a basket for watches on the stem, a solenoid mounted over the stem for lowering the said stem and basket, a spring for raising the stem and basket when the circuit to the solenoidal element is opened; a projecting member on the stem adapted to turn therewith, a rotatable plate mounted on the bed plate and loosely placed on the said central post so as to rotate around same, eontainers on the plate spaced equidistantly apart for the placement of the basket therein, a, motor for operating the said rotatable plate, and aligning the containers consecutively under the basket aforesaid so the basket can be lowered therein, said containers being arranged in the rotative plate to prevent their rotation therein, electrical circuits for said device, switch means actuated by said rotatable plate from a first position to a second position to open one of said circuits and close another of said circuits in predetermined sequence, said one circuit containing the motor that operates said rotatable plate, and said other circuit containing the motor that operates the said oscillator mechanism and the said solenoid, and means operated by the said projecting member after a predetermined time to actuate said switch means from its second position to its first position, said switch actuating means operating periodically whereby said containers are in turn brought under the basket for its insertion and oscillation therein and its removal therefrom.

2. A horological cleaning device comprising in combination, containers for holding fluids for cleaning horological works and parts, a rotative plate for holding and supporting the containers and adapted to carry them in an arcuate path, a stationary plate forming a base for the device having a central post extending therefrom through the rotative plate to hold the latter in position, means for rotating said rotative plate through a predetermined are periodically, a motor on the post, a mechanism operated by the motor for transmitting an oscillatory movement, and a stem operated by said mechanism in an oscillatory manner, a basket member held by the stem for supporting in an oscillating manne the watches placed therein, a solenoid mounted on the post and adapted to lower the stem and basket into the containers when the solenoid is energized, resilient means on the post for raising the basket out of the container when the solenoid is deenergized, said containers arranged to align with said basket periodically, a switch operated by the rotative plate to control the operation of the motor for rotating the basket and the solenoid for holding the basket in the container during the rotation, and a second switch operated by said rotative plate to control the movement thereof.

3. A horological cleaning device comprising in combination, a stationary base plate having a post extending therefrom, a rotative plate mounted on said post and moveable thereon, said rotative plate having means for holding containers and moving same in an arcuate path, means for rotating the rotative plate and stopping said rotation for a predetermined period, a motor on the post, a mechanism operated by the motor for transmitting an oscillatory movement, a stem slidably attached to said mechanism and oscillated thereby, a basket member attached to said stem for holding the watches and parts placed therein, a solenoid mounted on said post and adapted to lower the basket containing the watch parts into the containers periodically, switch means attached to said post and operated by said stem in its upper position, a second motor attached to said post for rotating the rotative plate periodically when the switch means have been closed through the upper movement of said stem, and resilient means for raising the stem and basket out of the containers when said solenoid is deenergized.

4. A horological cleaning device comprising in combination, a stationary base plate having a post extending therefrom, a rotative plate mounted on said post and moveable thereon, said rotative plate having means for holding containers and moving same in an arcuate path, means for rotating the rotative plate and stopping said rotation for a predetermined period, a motor on the post, a mechanism operated by the motor for transmitting an oscillatory movement, a stem slidably attached to said mechanism and oscillated thereby, a basket member attached to said stem for holding the watches and parts placed therein, a solenoid mounted on the post and adapted to lower the basket containing the watch parts into the containers periodically, switch means attached to said post and operated by said stem in its upper position, said means for rotating the rotative plate including a motor attached to said post for rotating the rotative plate periodically when the switch means have been closed through the operation of the stem in an upward direction, resilient means for raising the stem and basket out of the containers in predetermined sequence to the operation of the solenoid, a timing member, an arm attached to said stem and oscillated thereby for moving said timing" member, and. means on said timing member for opening and closing a plurality of switches for energizing said first named motor to operate said oscillating mechanism for controlling said solenoid to draw said stems and basket downwardly and allow said stem to rise, and for controlling said second-named motor to rotate the rotative plate periodically.

GEORGE CHARLES WAGNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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